Easy Make-Ahead Cranberry Sauce

Finally, a recipe that you can make days before Thanksgiving! Easy make-ahead cranberry sauce. You literally have no excuse to serve cranberry sauce out of a can when it only takes 15 minutes and 4 ingredients to make. Yes, I told you it was easy.

So there are basically 2 steps. That's right, 2 steps. The first step is to heat the orange juice and the sugar until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to boil. The second step is so add the cranberries and allow the mixture returns to a boil and simmer on low.

When the mixture is simmering, you will notice a popping sound. This is because cranberries "pop" or burst when heated, so do not be alarmed! Just be careful of any splashing.

How to Use Leftover Cranberry Sauce

When I host a big Thanksgiving turkey dinner, I usually make double the amount of cranberry sauce. However, what that means is that there are always leftovers. Here are some things I do with my leftover cranberry sauce:

• Make cranberry sauce oat bars.
• Make leftover cranberry sauce muffins with oat streusel topping.
• Serve over top of pancakes with a side of whipped cream.
• Use it as jam and spread over toast.
• Serve a scoop over top of cinnamon and walnut porridge.
• Spread it in a sandwich with leftover turkey and make leftover thanksgiving turkey sandwich.
• Add it to yogurt and granola and make a parfait.

Easy Make-Ahead Cranberry Sauce

---

★★★★★

4.9 from 9 reviews

• Author: Sam | Ahead of Thyme
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 1 + 1/4 cup sauce 1x
• Diet: Vegan

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Take the stress out of the holidays and prepare easy make-ahead cranberry sauce days before the big holiday dinner!

---

Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 8 oz. cranberries (fresh or frozen)
• pinch of cinnamon (optional)

---

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, pour in the orange juice and add the sugar. Cook on high until the mixture boils. Stir to dissolve the sugars.
2. Add the cranberries and bring mixture back to a boil.
3. Turn the heat down to low and cook for 10 minutes, until the most of the cranberries burst.
4. Once the cranberries have burst, add a pinch of cinnamon (optional).
5. Remove from heat and mash with the back of a spoon.
6. Let mixture cool at room temperature. Transfer mixture to a tupperware container and refrigerate overnight.

---

• Category: Sauce
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: easy make-ahead cranberry sauce, easy cranberry sauce, quick cranberry sauce, homemade cranberry sauce, make-ahead cranberry sauce, how to make cranberry sauce

Make cranberry sauce oat bars with the leftovers

OR leftover cranberry sauce muffins with oat streusel topping.

Check out Some of my Favourite Holiday Dishes:

• The Best and Creamiest Mashed Potatoes - Ready in under 30 minutes, these potatoes are so velvety and so smooth!
• Easy Roasted Brussels Sprouts - Also ready in under 30 minutes, there tender and caramelized, easy roasted brussels sprouts are tossed in balsamic vinegar and honey.
• Roasted Butternut Squash Soup - The most pinned soup on Pinterest sums up the taste of the holidays in one spoon. Rosemary, sage and thyme, need I say more?
• Classic Homemade Turkey Gravy -Thanksgiving is not the same without thick and delicious, classic homemade turkey gravy made using leftover drippings and homemade turkey stock.
• Creamy Garlic Mashed Cauliflower - Imagine having a nice big serving of mashed potatoes but with a quarter of the calories. Now you can with creamy garlic mashed cauliflower! Cooks in 15 minutes!
• Apple Walnut Salad with Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette - Throw together crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, and sweet cranberries for a taste of the holidays in a salad.
• Oven-Roasted Corn on the Cob with Garlic Butter - When it is inconvenient to grill your corn on the cob, try buttery, oven-roasted corn on the cob with garlic butter instead!
• Classic Baked Mac and Cheese - The ultimate comfort food: creamy, cheesy, classic baked macaroni and cheese with a crunchy topping cooks in 30 minutes.
• Cranberry Walnut Apple Stuffing - Cranberry walnut bread paired with sautéed apples, onions and rosemary is exactly what your holiday table needs!